3rd Head Gasket issue is now Cracked Heads! Need Heads!

[dgale914]

Love the Ford truck, hate the friggin fact that they didn't design the 6.0L with enough head bolts!! I lent my truck to a 'friend' for a weekend and when he brought it back he said "man that truck hauls ***!". That's when a little voice in the back of my head said 'oh no', as the truck has all the Banks goodies on it and a six shooter, etc., and can easily exceed 30lbs of boost.

The next day I hooked it up to my stacker trailer and headed to the race track. I immediately noticed the tell tale symptons of a blown head gasket. (3rd time & I have ARP studs too!) Afer a few profanities, off the truck went to my local diesel shop.(again)

After teardown they discovered that the heads are cracked all the way through and are not repairable. Basically, they're boat anchors. Now I have to buy new heads. The local Ford Dealer is quoting $1350 Each, and we can't find a good set of used heads locally. That said, before I pull the trigger on $2800 worth of heads, I'd like to understand what my options are for either stock heads or better performing heads aftermarket. That said, my questions are:

1. Any recommendations as to where I can find a set of new or rebuilt heads for less than $1350 each?

2. If I do have to grab both ankles, then I'd like to know if there's a better flowing/performing head out there for close to the same amount ($$) as the Ford stock replacements? If so, then I may just upgrade to a better head.

3. Also, if I have a 'Sneaky Pipe' installed on the motor, do I have to have the EGR cooler? If it's not needed or there's a way to bypass it, I'd rather just toss it as it's also leaking. ($450 from the dealer)

Any help you guys can offer is much appreciated!

Doug

[MUDSTROKIN']

I don't know about performance heads or anything like that, but even with brand new heads HAVE THEM DECKED FOR FLATNESS! Don't let the dealer tell you they're flat and it's fine. Demand to have them Decked for Flatness. And i can Almost guarantee you they will not fail again. Provided the installer does everything else correct. Torque, reassembly, etc....

[08pwrstrokr6.4]

also get them fire ringed why they are off and get fire ring gaskets

[MUDSTROKIN']

^ not needed if the heads are truely Flat. Unless theres something that i don't know about this truck...

[08pwrstrokr6.4]

well if its tuned you can run higher boost levels without worrying about it with the fire rings right?

[MUDSTROKIN']

With the heads flat and the ARPS installed correctly i wouldn't at all be worried about more boost. I'd say they'd be able to hold a good 50 - 60 PSI all day, but once you get into boost pressures that high i'd worry about the valve train before i'd worry about the studs

[08pwrstrokr6.4]

i guees.but if it was me i would fire them while they were out.thats just me though.i like the extra insurance

[Snake]

Originally Posted by 08pwrstrokr6.4

also get them fire ringed why they are off and get fire ring gaskets

Fire rings don't last with repeated hot-cold cycles. Like driving your truck, letting it sit overnight, and then driving it again. The majority of folks using fire rings are sled pullers or drag racers. Not daily drivers.

[Dawg2500HD]

OP, there is a guy in the classifieds that has a set of 2007 heads with about 30k on them I think. Says they have already been checked and everything! IIRC he wants $1000 for the pair. Check it out!

Jeremy

[Snake]

SHHHHHHHH !!!!! I have my eye on those....